Get to Know Stijn Niessen, Empowering Vets with Passion and Skills for Treating Diabetic Patients  

Stijn Niessen is an honorary Professor in Internal Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College, and is involved in teaching and research, especially in the field of endocrinology. He has co-founded a value-based consulting company Veterinary Specialist Consultations, as well as VIN Europe, "for vets, by vets", sister of the global Veterinary Information Network vin.com consisting of over 100.000 vets. 

From a childhood fascination with animals to a career dedicated to improving the lives of pets and inspiring veterinarians, Stijn's journey is nothing short of remarkable. In this interview, he reflects on his proudest achievements, offers a glimpse into revolutionary developments in diabetes management, and shares his vision for the future of veterinary medicine. Read more to learn from one of the foremost experts in the field. 

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to pursue a career in veterinary? 

A: Like many of my colleagues, I was mesmerised by animals from a young age. I always found the way they function to be very intriguing. Over time, I began to wonder what we can do to improve the health and welfare of those without a voice, leading me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. 

Q: Reflecting on your career this far. What achievements or milestones are you most proud of and why? 

A: Even though I love working with animals, what I enjoy most is working with veterinarians, inspiring them to enjoy their careers and further develop their knowledge and skills. 

Q: Can you give us a sneak peek into some of the groundbreaking developments in diabetes management that you'll be discussing during your session at LVS ‘Brave new world: What's new for managing diabetes in 2024?’?  

A: A lot has changed in the field of diabology. When I first began my research career in diabetology, I could only have dreamed of the advancements we have today. Together with David Church, we will be discussing the applications of the SGLT2-inhibitors in this new class of drugs that we are increasingly using for cats with diabetes mellitus. We’ll cover the key insights we believe everyone should know and touch up on the use of these drugs in dogs, which could be revolutionary. People can expect to learn a lot about current best practices as well as potential developments in the next one to two years, particularly regarding these new drugs and methodologies in the care of diabetic patients. 

Q: Could you provide a brief summary of your session's learning outcomes? 

A: My ultimate goal for this session is to spark excitement in attendees about treating their next patient with diabetes mellitus, whether it’s a dog or a cat. I want to empower them with practical skills and confidence to improve the quality of life for these pets. 

Q: Finally, what piece of advice would you like to give to individuals who are at the start of their veterinary career? 

I want to tell them to follow their heart. After all, it was probably following their heart that led them to become a vet in the first place, but it doesn’t have to stop there. If you find an area within the profession that you feel even more passionate about, just go for it. You only have one life. That’s what I did, and it brought me to some pretty wonderful places - even to the centre of the stage of the London Vet Show. 

Join Stijn Niessen's sessions this 14-15 November.

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME